Abortion rights supporters celebrate their biggest victory since June of 2022, when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe V. Wade, a moment in history that set the stage for states to decide whether or not an individual has the right to reproductive decisions- such as abortion. Now, in the month of November, Ohio stands as the sole state with abortion rights issues on the ballot.
Originally, it was lawful to have an abortion up to 22 weeks of pregnancy. This had an exception to go beyond the given time, in the interests of the mother’s health and safety. The passing of Ohio Issue One would mean the protection of abortion rights and other reproductive decisions, and that was the exact outcome as supporters cheered on November 7th, 2023.
So what exactly does all of this mean? Well, on December 7th this amendment will take effect- just thirty days after the election. However, Senate President Matt Huffman speculates that although the fight is won, the battle is not over. He proposes the idea that there will be “a revolving door of ballot campaigns to repeal or replace Issue 1.”